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Несколько черт украинского патриотизма

Several features of Ukrainian patriotism

Date posted: 19.08.2012 Print Full version

The latest survey of the Sociological group "Rating" recorded the growth of patriotism in August 2012.

Thus, as compared to indices of two years ago, the number of respondents who consider themselves patriots of their country has increased from 77 to 82%, as compared to data of six months ago - an increase is even bigger - from 73 to 82%. Specifically, 40% of respondents explicitly characterize themselves as patriots of their country, other 42% - rather patriots than not.

Only 10% of respondents did not consider themselves patriots. Other 8% - were unable to decide.

The most significant growth of patriotism is recorded in the East of the country, in Donbas, as well as in the West and in the North. On the contrary, in the South an opposite tendency is recorded. Thus, we can see the growth of patriotism in regions where there was EURO-2012, so we may suggest that the growth can be attributed to a greater extent to this event.

Stably, elderly people consider themselves the biggest patriots. However, the growth of similar attitudes is also recorded among young people; there is also a significant growth of patriotism among women. Recent tendencies also indirectly indicate that EURO-2012 and the increasing level of patriotism are connected; we can talk about the emergence of a certain "patriotism fashion".

Supporters of Freedom and Batkivshchyna consider themselves the biggest patriots, however, there is also a significant increase in similar attitudes among supporters of the Party of Regions.

Supporters of UDAR and the Party of Natalia Korolevska "Ukraine – Forward!" consider themselves the least devoted patriots, primarily because of a significant share of young supporters in the structure.

Ukrainians are primarily proud of their country, its people, the place where they were born and grew up (34%), their land, the territory in which they live (29%), national songs, festivals and customs (27%) mother nature (26%), the past of the country and its history (25%), Ukrainian diligence, the ability to manage the household (25%), great men of the Ukrainian nationality (24%).

Spiritual qualities of Ukrainians (22%), the State in which they live (21%), and their mother tongue (19%) also make people proud of their country.

National faith and religion (12%), victories of the country’s athletes (12%), literature and art (11%), the memory of ancestors and their graves (11%), flag, emblem and anthem (4%) make Ukrainians proud somewhat less.

The minimal pride (only 1%) is excited by the military power of the state.

The place where one was born and grew up excites the greatest pride in the South, in the East and in Donbas. Mostly among supporters of the Party of Natalia Korolevska "Ukraine – Forward!" and the Party of Regions. Ukrainian songs and customs - among supporters of Batkivshchyna, the CPU, Ukrainian diligence - among supporters of the party "Ukraine –Forward!"

Great Ukrainians fascinate residents of the East, the North and the West of the country, both supporters of the opposition and the Party of Regions. The past and the history arouse the greatest pride in the North, in the Centre and in Donbas. Mainly among supporters of the CPU and the Party of Regions.

The state in which people live excites the greatest pride in the West, as well as the language and the religion of Ukrainians. Sport victories - in the Center and, logically, mainly among supporters of UDAR, spiritual qualities of Ukrainians - in the East, literature and art - in the North, the memory of ancestors and their graves - in the South.

The vast majority (61%) of respondents answered the question "Who am I?" - a citizen of Ukraine. Half as many respondents describe themselves primarily as residents of their region, town, village (29%) and 24% of respondents just said “a Human being”.

Other 19% of respondents, answering this question, mentioned their nationality, almost every tenth respondent – his family role or characterized himself as a Soviet citizen.

Only 6% would call themselves Europeans, 5% - would mention their profession, occupation, and 3% - would call themselves citizens of the world or mention their religious beliefs.

Residents of the West and the Center would mainly call themselves citizens of Ukraine, mostly supporters of Freedom, and the United Opposition Batkivshchyna.

Residents of the East and the West would just say “a Human being”, mostly supporters of the Party of Natalia Korolevska "Ukraine – Forward!" and UDAR.

In the West and in the North people would mention their nationality, particularly supporters of Freedom and Batkivshchyna.

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Every third supporter of the CPU and almost every sixth – of the Party of Regions consider themselves Soviet citizens. Such attitudes prevail mainly among elderly people, pensioners; they are the most popular in the South and in the East.

Young people primarily consider themselves Europeans. This statement is the most common among supporters of Freedom and UDAR.

The association "the Citizen of the World" is the most widespread among supporters of the Party "Ukraine – Forward!" and UDAR.

Dynamics shows that over the past two years there have been some changes in understanding of patriotism, in feeling proud of one’s country and in self-identification.

Thus, Ukrainians started to feel more proud of their country, of national songs, holidays and customs, of Mother Nature, of Ukrainian diligence, and the ability to manage the household. However, there have been losses on such positions as national heroes, the State in which people live, the memory of ancestors and their graves, national faith and religion, flag, emblem and anthem of the country.

Despite the fact that the number of respondents who identify themselves as citizens of Ukraine has increased, the number of those who would mention their nationality has decreased.

Based on the analysis of correlation of such questions as "What is the source of pride for your country and its people?", "Who am I?" and the question "How   would you describe yourself - as a patriot of your country or not?" we tried to make conclusions which markers reflect more patriotic attitudes, and which markers - less patriotic.

So, in the question "What is the source of pride for your country and its people?" the most patriotic markers are "Flag, emblem and anthem," "The state, where I live," "Great people of my nationality," "The language of my people" and "Our literature and art."

In the question "Who am I?" the most patriotic markers are: "The citizen of Ukraine" and "I would mention my nationality."

Thus, there is a paradoxical situation where the overall level of patriotism has as if increased, but losses are recorded on the majority of patriotic markers.

In addition, over the past two years the readiness to defend our country in arms has decreased (from 43 to 33%), and unreadiness has, on the contrary, increased (from 38 to 54%). Thus, there is a clear dependence: the more patriotic the person feels, the more readiness he shows to defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine in arms.

This could suggest that the growth of the feeling of patriotism has a significant emotional and, perhaps, a situational component.

People are the readiest to defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine in arms in the West, the majority of them is among supporters of Freedom. Residents of the South and supporters of the CPU are the least willing to defend the territorial integrity of Ukraine in arms.

Nearly a half of men and one in five women are ready to defend their country in arms.

 61% of respondents would support the proclamation of the independence of Ukraine, if they had this choice today. Only 26% - would not support it, 13% - are undecided.

If in the West almost 90% of respondents would support independence, in the North and in the Center - about 70%, in the East, in the South and in Donbas - less than a half. Importantly (!), the number of supporters of Independence exceeds the number of opponents in each of the regions of Ukraine.

Young people support the Independence the most, elderly people – the least. It is worth recalling that elderly people consider themselves more patriotic. Some elderly people consider themselves patriots of their country, yet they do not recognize the Independence and consider themselves to be Soviet citizens.

The absolute majority of respondents support neither the separation of Galicia from Ukraine (84%) nor the separation of the Crimea (90%) and Donbas (90%).

Only 5% support the separation of Galicia, including less than 1% - in the West, but more than 10% - in Donbas and in the South.

Only 3% support the separation of the Crimea, including less than 1% - in the West, 4% - in Donbas and every tenth - in the South.

Only 2% support the separation of Donbas, including about 2% in the West, and 8% - in Donbas itself.

Thus, we face the situation where residents of Galicia categorically do not support its hypothetical separation from Ukraine, yet it is partially supported by residents of Donbas and the South, primarily supporters of the CPU, less – supporters of the Party of Regions.

Residents of the West, the Center, the North and the East of the country do not support the separation of any territories, but in Crimea there is some support of the separation of its territory from Ukraine, as well as in Donbas - of its territory. However, such attitudes are not dominant; an absolute majority stresses the need to preserve the territorial integrity of the country.

 

The target audience of the research: the population of Ukraine aged from 18 and older. Optional quantity: 2000 respondents. The methods of investigation: personal formalized interview according to the questionnaire (face to face). Measure of inaccuracy for the values close to 50% is less than 2.2%, for the values close to 30% – less than 2%, for the values close to 10% – less than 1.3. The period of completion: 8-18 of August 2012. The oblast’ distribution:

West: Volyns’ka, Transcarpathia, Ivano–Frankivs’ka, L’vivs’ka, Rivnens’ka, Ternopil’s’ka, Chernivets’ka.

Centre: Vinnyts’ka, Kirovograds’ka, Poltavs’ka, Khmel’nyts’ka, Cherkas’ka.

North: Kyiv, Kyivs’ka, Zhytomyrs’ka, Sums’ka, Chernihivs’ka.

South: AR Crimea, Odes’ka, Khersons’ka, Mykolaivs’ka, Sevastopol

East: Dnipropetrovs’ka, Zaporiz’ka, Kharkivs’ka.

Donbass: Donets’ka, Luhans’ka.

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